1970 SPL resto finally started...

[funkaholik]

Thanks Greg for all that carb data. I have a dyno session booked on the 15th, but I'm going to try and get it as good as I can before then. I used this same AFR gauge to get the carb on my brother's '69 Z28 dialed in. You're right about these Mikunis - changing jets is a breeze compared to having to disconnect the fuel lines and pull the float bowls every time on a Holley 4 barrel. It's a mess and my hands smelled like gasoline for 2 days.

I love Hearos. That is actually the brand that she has, and she'll be bringing them on the trip. They are amazing at cutting down background noise while still being able to hold a conversation, just like you said. They are just a step down from the big over-ear noise cancelling ones that we use at the gun range, but so compact.

[funkaholik]

Freeway flying!

Took her out on the freeway, and even got into 5th gear. After driving all those years with the 4 speed, having the overdrive was NICE! Got her up to about 90 really quickly - this engine rocks. My speedo reads high, but it said 105, which I estimate is about 90. What a beast.

Going to do the Breakfast Club Rally this Saturday in Napa / Sonoma area. Until then, here's a little "merging on the freeway" video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9s-Jo6h8fE

[iloveredmeat]

Smoke that minivan!

Seriously, that is so awesome! It sounds so good and seems that the torque is really there!

I can't wait!

You did it man. Good on ya!

[RustyBucket]

Sounds great !!!

[funkaholik]

Apologies for the title. I couldn't resist.

Took a break from fiddling with carbs today and finally took Dave Premo's advice on how to fix my ratty shifter knob and even uglier parking brake handle. I admit it sounded a little weird when he told me what to do, and it also sounded like a lot of work. Boy, was I wrong.

Here is a before shot, taken a while ago:



Dave's trick is to use wet/dry sandpaper and WD-40. On the shift knob, I cut the head off an m8-1.25 bolt, threaded the knob on with a locknut, and put it in my drill press. I carefully taped off the chrome part to keep it from getting scratched. Using 400, 600, 1000, & then 2000, and keeping it wet with WD, I polished the old knob right up. Wiped it down with a clean cloth and it looks amazing. You could go finer on the finish sandpaper for more gloss, but I like this satin black look. Total polishing time was about 5 minutes.

On to the handbrake. Since it was already mounted in the car, I taped off the chrome, and put down plenty of plastic to protect everything. This was worse than the knob, so I started with 320, then on to the 400, etc. Total polishing time was again about 5 minutes, using a back-and- forth, "shoeshine" motion with the sandpaper. I am shocked at how good it came out. The photo doesn't do it justice - it looks brand new!



Thanks, Dave!

Now I need to finish this damn console.

[notoptoy]

Looks great!

[RustyBucket]

here is a suggested replacement ...

SHIFTER.JPG

Or maybe not....

[Gregs672000]

I just took a closer look at the knobs... ha! Pretty funny!

Car sounds and responds freakin Great!

[funkaholik]

Took my Datsun out to the Breakfast Club Rally yesterday. Met up in Fairfield about 8 am. Lots of amazing cars there, including 2 other roadsters, a 520 pickup, several Z's, a Fiat Dino, Pantera, vintage Mustangs, and of course many Porsches. Left about 9 am on an awesome drive: 177 total miles of mostly back roads and mountain twisties through Napa, Lake, and Sonoma counties. What a great day out. I highly recommend anyone in the SF Bay Area to attend one of these monthly gatherings. Great people, great cars, and lots of driving.

More info at https://www.breakfastclubrally.com/

[iloveredmeat]

Knob and handle look great! When I polished my shifter knob, I had issues with 'overheating' and used water to help. So, thinking out loud - I wonder why WD-40? Maybe @david premo knows, and would any other oil work? Whatever, the proof is in the pudding.

And the breakfast drive sounds so fun! Good on ya getting out there. I love the patina and shiny chrome combo disguising a little rocket.

Just awesome.

[funkaholik]

It's late and I'm tired, so no long stories. I did want to post this video from my first chassis dyno day at Z Car Garage. Thanks for everything, Rob. You rock!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvhz0SC2Te0

[funkaholik]

In my continuing efforts to "de-school bus" my roadster (I already got rid of the '70-only giant orange front lights) I finally swapped to a smaller steering wheel. This isn't my favorite wheel, but it's the one I've had sitting in my garage ever since my brother pulled it out of a Camaro he was selling and gave it to me, probably 20 years ago.

I used a Grant 4581 hub adapter and it bolted up pretty easily. Only issue I had was that the roll pins they give you for turn signal cancellation were a bit too short, and too loose in the holes they "press" into. I tapped the holes to 10-32, put in some 1.5" screws, and cut them down until I had two posts of the correct length.

What a difference in the steering feel. It feels so much more sporty and responsive, but it's a 350mm wheel so it doesn't block my view of the gauges, or make it too hard to turn the wheel when stopped.

[iloveredmeat]

... and it looks good!

Smart fix.

Out of curiosity, what is the size of your original wheel? And any chance you know the size of 67.5 / early cars?

Dash and console and everything look so sweet!
pm

[Gregs672000]

Ah, wait a minute here... why isn't everyone going freakin crazy over those wheel torque and HP numbers... are you kidding me!?! What a great result! The torque is awesome, and your HP number would have been higher if the engine could rev higher (pushrod vs OHC), but who cares... the torque is great. I guess I had forgotten this was a Robello built 2150 stroker, and obviously he got it right. I'd like to see the full graph and not just peak output if you've got it, and it should be posted to the dyno page. I will be extremely happy if my motor does that kind of torque. What size chokes are you running in the carbs? They're 40s, Right? You must be quite pleased. Oh, and yes... the other stuff you've done looks great, but man, that motor! Woo hoo!

BTW, my steering wheel is almost identical (6 rivets instead of 5) but is leather and darker black. I love it, very comfortable and solid, perfect hand holds. My former machinist created the mount for me which allowed me to use the stock Datsun center horn button (no horn) so it says Datsun in the center.

[funkaholik]

Peter,

My original Datsun wheel was 400mm (15.75"), and the new wheel is 350mm (13.75").

Greg,

The lighting is weird in my photo. This wheel is also leather and black. It does look grey for some reason here.

And, yes, I am loving these power numbers. They said that a solex U20 usually makes 110-115 whp. So 148 is hell yeah territory. After the dyno runs they realized that it was set on the race car calibration settings, which reads lower than the normal calibration. Plus, the carbs still aren't where they need to be, so I imagine next time will be even better.

Can't wait!